The Center for Digital Equity

Internet Sign-Up Event: McAden Park
2023-11-02 16:00 - 18:00 (America/New_York) | McAden Park, 1303 Seigel Avenue, Charlotte, NC, 28205, United States
All residents of the McAden Park community are invited to our internet sign-up event! We’re are sharing awareness of two affordable internet options available to residents of this community:

The Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP)
Access Charlotte Spectrum Internet (though the City of Charlotte)

Digital Navigators from the CDE will answer questions residents may have about the program options, and guide residents through the internet sign-up process, whether it’s the ACP application or Access Charlotte internet. Our goal is to ensure every eligible household can connect to reliable and affordable high-speed home internet.
Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP)
The ACP is a federal benefit that provides eligible households with a $30 monthly discount on home internet, making many plans available at little or no cost. Households that receive federal housing assistance automatically qualify for the ACP.
Inlivian residents can click here to learn more about the Affordable Connectivity Program and contact a Digital Navigator virtually for support: https://thecenterfordigitalequity-6276057.hs-sites.com/en/inlivian-your-home-your-internet
Access Charlotte Spectrum Internet
The City of Charlotte has partnered with Spectrum to launch the Access Charlotte program. Access Charlotte provides FREE high-speed internet to residents of Access Charlotte housing properties through June 2025. Households in the Access Charlotte program are eligible for this initiative regardless of whether they are current Spectrum customers. Current customers are automatically enrolled in this benefit.
Residents of Access Charlotte properties can check if they’re receiving the benefit, or get help signing up for Spectrum internet, by completing this form to contact a digital navigator, or calling 311, pressing any button, and asking to speak to a digital navigator.

Public Community Council Meeting (November 2 – Virtual)
2023-11-02 15:30 - 17:00
You’re invited to our public monthly Community Council meetings! At the Center for Digital Equity (CDE), we value the input of all Mecklenburg County residents, whether you just want to listen to the conversation or whether you’d like to become a resident or organization partner of the CDE. Each Community Council meeting is held the first Thursday of the month from 3:30 – 5:00pm. Most meetings are virtual (see Zoom invite link below).

Time: 3:30pm – 5:00pm
Virtual Link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82084305057

What is the Community Council?
The community council is a resident, public, private collaboration focused on producing recommendations on how Mecklenburg County can become the most digitally equitable community in America. Any resident in Mecklenburg County or public and private sector partner who operates within the county is welcome to join the council. The community council is governed by a co-created charter and led by workstream co-chairs who are elected by partners of the CDE.

Interested in becoming a member of the Community Council? Complete this interest form: https://share.hsforms.com/1JkmrAPzZRiC9oTPhbyI9RA3qimx

CDE Mission Statement
To make Mecklenburg County the most digital equitable community in America.

CDE Vision
The Center for Digital Equity is the backbone organization for a collective impact strategy bringing together residents, public, and private sector partners to co-create solutions allowing every resident the opportunity to thrive in our modern culture.

What are the CDE’s workstreams?
The CDE is organized across five workstreams that tackle specific key performances indicators (KPIs) related to our mission and generally correlate with our no-cost community services, which are as follows:

Support signing up for affordable home internet
Support finding a no or low-cost device
Support connecting with and enrolling in digital skilling programs
Basic technical support

Workstream meetings are hosted monthly, and you’re welcome to join a different one each month to learn about their unique initiatives. You can find all the public workstream meetings on our events calendar. Our five workstreams are:

Data, Research, and Program Measurement
Device and Connectivity
Digital Literacy and Skilling
Digital Navigation and Technical Support
Policy, Advocacy, and Ecosystem Development

CDE History
The Center for Digital Equity (CDE) is an evolution of two key community initiatives; Digital Charlotte and the Charlotte Digital Inclusion Alliance and is housed at Queens University of Charlotte.
The CDE is supported by a grant from the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation.

Internet Sign-Up Event at Sailboat Bay (Access Charlotte)
2023-11-02 14:00 - 16:00 | Sailboat Bay Apartment Complex, 5417 Albermarle Road, Charlotte, NC, 28212, United States
All residents living at Sailboat Bay apartment complex are invited to attend the Access Charlotte internet sign-up event hosted by the Center for Digital Equity! The City of Charlotte has partnered with Spectrum to launch the Access Charlotte program. Access Charlotte provides FREE high-speed internet to residents of Access Charlotte housing properties. The Digital Navigator Service will visit each property to provide 1:1 guidance to help residents sign up!
Households in the Access Charlotte program area are eligible for this initiative regardless of whether they are current Spectrum customers. Those who are not current customers can sign up to request a self-installation kit and start receiving the service by calling 1-855-326-5115.
Residents of Access Charlotte properties can check if they’re receiving the benefit, or get help signing up for Spectrum internet, by completing this form to contact a digital navigator, or calling 311, pressing any button, and asking to speak to a digital navigator.
Access Charlotte aims to bridge the gap of the digital divide in the greater Charlotte area. Access Charlotte will improve and size up to provide free Spectrum Internet and Advanced Wi-Fi to over 5,000 households and 15 community spaces. Using funding from the American Rescue Plan Act, Charlotte has implemented the two-year program to pay for in-home internet, as well as allocate dollars toward efforts related to digital navigators.

Public Workstream Meeting: Policy, Advocacy, and Ecosystem Development
2023-10-24 16:00 - 17:00
You’re invited to our public monthly workstream meetings! We value the input of all Mecklenburg County residents, whether you just want to listen to the conversation or whether you’d like to become a full member of one of our workstreams. Each workstream is composed of local residents, public sector leaders, and private sector partners.
2023 is going to be a big year as we measure and find ways to show Mecklenburg County the work and progress. The Policy, Advocacy, and Ecosystem workstream will be offering some community engagement trainings, mapping digital resources and setting a policy/advocacy agenda. Our mission is to ensure alignment between community needs and policy at all levels of the ecosystem. Each meeting occurs the fourth Tuesday of every month.
Standing Meeting Time: 4:00pm – 5:00pm
Date: October 24, 2023
Virtual Location: Join Teams Meeting
Workstream Program Director: Amy Crippen
RSVP: Complete this form to indicate your interest in joining a meeting.
**Note: You are still welcome to join the meeting if you don’t RSVP.

Overview of Workstreams at the CDE
The overall mission of the Center for Digital Equity is to make Mecklenburg county the most digitally equitable community in America, and each workstream tackles specific key performances indicators (KPIs) related to that broader goal.
The CDE is organized across five workstreams that generally correlate with our no-cost community services, which are as follows:

Support signing up for affordable home internet
Support finding a no or low-cost device
Support connecting with and enrolling in digital skilling programs
Basic technical support

Workstream meetings are hosted monthly, and you’re welcome to join a different one each month to learn about the unique initiatives of our five workstreams:

Data, Research, and Program Measurement
Device and Connectivity
Digital Literacy and Skilling
Digital Navigation and Technical Support
Policy, Advocacy, and Ecosystem Development

Public Workstream Meeting: Data, Research, and Data Measurement
2023-10-17 16:00 - 17:00
You’re invited to our public monthly workstream meetings! We value the input of all Mecklenburg County residents, whether you just want to listen to the conversation or whether you’d like to become a full member of one of our workstreams. Each workstream is composed of local residents, public sector leaders, and private sector partners.
Join the the Data, Research and Program Measurement Workstream meeting to learn how we’re collecting data on our progress and using different types of data to inform our decisions. Their mission is to connect the community and partners with the right level of key data elements to drive decisions. Each meeting occurs the third Tuesday of every month.
Standing Meeting Time: 4:00pm – 5:00pm
Date: October 17, 2023
Virtual Location: Join Teams Meeting
Workstream Program Director: Amy Crippen
RSVP: Complete this form to indicate your interest in joining a meeting.
**Note: You are still welcome to join the meeting if you don’t RSVP.

Overview of Workstreams at the CDE
The overall mission of the Center for Digital Equity is to make Mecklenburg county the most digitally equitable community in America, and each workstream tackles specific key performances indicators (KPIs) related to that broader goal.
The CDE is organized across five workstreams that generally correlate with our no-cost community services, which are as follows:

Support signing up for affordable home internet
Support finding a no or low-cost device
Support connecting with and enrolling in digital skilling programs
Basic technical support

Workstream meetings are hosted monthly, and you’re welcome to join a different one each month to learn about the unique initiatives of our five workstreams:

Data, Research, and Program Measurement
Device and Connectivity
Digital Literacy and Skilling
Digital Navigation and Technical Support
Policy, Advocacy, and Ecosystem Development

Tech Tuesdays: Buy a Low-Cost Laptop
2023-10-17 15:00 - 17:00
Looking for an affordable laptop? Check out Tech Tuesdays, hosted by E2D (Eliminate the Digital Divide) to provide up to 2 low-cost laptops per family on a first come, first served basis.
Laptops are $80 each (cash, money order, or credit card) and there is a limit of 2 laptops per family. Please note, the E2D program is for families with demonstrated need.
*Credit card transactions will incur a $4.00 fee PER laptop.*

Venue: E2D AvidXChange Lab
Address: 920 Hamilton Street, Charlotte, NC 28206
Time: 3:00pm – 5:00pm
Parking: Park across the street at AvidXChange
E2D Website: https://www.e-2-d.org/get-a-laptop

Internet Sign-Up Event: The Park at Oaklawn
2023-10-10 16:00 - 18:00 | The Park at Oaklawn, 1215 Rising Oak Drive, Charlotte, NC, 28206, United States
All residents of the Park at Oaklawn community are invited to our internet sign-up event! We’re are sharing awareness of two affordable internet options available to residents of this community:

The Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP)
Access Charlotte Spectrum Internet (though the City of Charlotte)

Digital Navigators from the CDE will answer questions residents may have about the program options, and guide residents through the internet sign-up process, whether it’s the ACP application or Access Charlotte internet. Our goal is to ensure every eligible household can connect to reliable and affordable high-speed home internet.
Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP)
The ACP is a federal benefit that provides eligible households with a $30 monthly discount on home internet, making many plans available at little or no cost. Households that receive federal housing assistance automatically qualify for the ACP.
Inlivian residents can click here to learn more about the Affordable Connectivity Program and contact a Digital Navigator virtually for support: https://thecenterfordigitalequity-6276057.hs-sites.com/en/inlivian-your-home-your-internet
Access Charlotte Spectrum Internet
The City of Charlotte has partnered with Spectrum to launch the Access Charlotte program. Access Charlotte provides FREE high-speed internet to residents of Access Charlotte housing properties. Households in the Access Charlotte program area are eligible for this initiative regardless of whether they are current Spectrum customers. Current customers are automatically enrolled in this benefit.
Residents of Access Charlotte properties can check if they’re receiving the benefit, or get help signing up for Spectrum internet, by completing this form to contact a digital navigator, or calling 311, pressing any button, and asking to speak to a digital navigator.

Tech Titans 50+ Kick-off Event
2023-10-10 12:00 - 13:30 | Allegra Westbrooks Library, 2412 Beatties Ford Road, Charlotte, NC, 28216, United States
AARP and Charlotte Mecklenburg Library are launching an exciting new series of free technology classes from Senior Planet! Learn more at our noon kickoff celebration on Tuesday, October 10, at the Allegra Westbrooks Regional Library!

We will provide lunch to all who register, and you can learn more about how to sign up for upcoming courses on both computer and Ipad essentials. Staff and volunteers will be on site to assist and answer any questions you have!

Open Streets: Corridors Connect - A Day of Car(e) Free Streets
2023-10-08 13:00 - 2023-10-22 17:00
Corridors Connect is for everyone! Car-free streets, if only for the afternoon, give us all an opportunity to enjoy the connectivity that roads provide, but in a more healthful, carefree, and social atmosphere.
Corridors Connect is a new series of six events spread over three Sundays in October 2023. The event series features shorter routes – and more of them – for even more opportunities to discover and connect. The “Corridors Connect” brand borrows from the Corridors of Opportunity focus areas that will host all six routes.
See the fun in real time in this video from Open Streets 2019.
Corridors Connect Schedule
Corridors Connect is a series of six events spread out over three Sundays in October of 2023. Each event takes place from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.

October 8, 2023: Sugar Creek Road & I-85
October 8, 2023: Albemarle Road & Central Avenue
October 15, 2023: Beatties Ford & Rozzelles Ferry
October 15, 2023: Graham Street & North Tryon
October 22, 2023: West Blvd
October 22, 2023: Freedom Drive & Wilkinson Blvd

What are the Corridors of Opportunity?
Corridors are vital to the health of Charlotte’s communities, serving as links that connect people to the resources and businesses they need to live and thrive. With a $38.5 million investment, the City of Charlotte is renewing its commitment to six key corridors. Beautiful, safe and prosperous communities are places where families can grow strong and build legacies for the future. Click here to read more about how the City is investing in the following six corridors:

Graham Street/ North Tryon Street
I85/Sugar Creek Road
Albemarle Road/ Central Avenue
Beatties Ford Road/ Rozzelles Ferry Road
West Boulevard
Freedom Drive/ Wilkinson Boulevard

ACP Sign-Up Event: Ashley Square (Inlivian)
2023-10-05 16:00 - 18:00 | Ashley Square, 4845 Ashley Park Lane, Charlotte, NC, 28210, United States
All residents of the Ashley Square community are invited to join the CDE to attend our internet sign-up even in the community room. At this event, we are sharing awareness of the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP), a federal benefit that provides eligible households with a $30 monthly discount on home internet, making many plans available at little or no cost. Digital Navigators will guide residents through the application process and help them apply the $30 discount to their internet service provider account.
Inlivian residents can click here to learn more about the Affordable Connectivity Program and contact a Digital Navigator virtually for support: https://thecenterfordigitalequity-6276057.hs-sites.com/en/inlivian-your-home-your-internet

Your Home, Your Internet: Connecting Housing Authority Residents to Internet
This event is part of the Your Home, Your Internet (YHYI) campaign that launched in Charlotte on May 30, 2023 through a collaborative effort between Inlivian, CORE, CDE, and EducationSuperHighway. This is a yearlong campaign to connect all housing authority residents, who are automatically eligible for the $30 monthly ACP benefit, to high-speed home internet at little or no cost. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) created the “Your Home, Your Internet” pilot program to raise awareness of the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) and awarded funds to select cities, including Charlotte, to support pilot-related activities, such as hosting events at Inlivian properties.

Public Community Council Meeting (October 5 – Virtual)
2023-10-05 15:30 - 17:00
You’re invited to our public monthly Community Council meetings! At the Center for Digital Equity (CDE), we value the input of all Mecklenburg County residents, whether you just want to listen to the conversation or whether you’d like to become a resident or organization partner of the CDE. Each Community Council meeting is held the first Thursday of the month from 3:30 – 5:00pm. Most meetings are virtual (see Zoom invite link below).

Time: 3:30pm – 5:00pm
Virtual Link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89791230191

What is the Community Council?
The community council is a resident, public, private collaboration focused on producing recommendations on how Mecklenburg County can become the most digitally equitable community in America. Any resident in Mecklenburg County or public and private sector partner who operates within the county is welcome to join the council. The community council is governed by a co-created charter and led by workstream co-chairs who are elected by partners of the CDE.

Interested in becoming a member of the Community Council? Complete this interest form: https://share.hsforms.com/1JkmrAPzZRiC9oTPhbyI9RA3qimx

CDE Mission Statement
To make Mecklenburg County the most digital equitable community in America.

CDE Vision
The Center for Digital Equity is the backbone organization for a collective impact strategy bringing together residents, public, and private sector partners to co-create solutions allowing every resident the opportunity to thrive in our modern culture.

What are the CDE’s workstreams?
The CDE is organized across five workstreams that tackle specific key performances indicators (KPIs) related to our mission and generally correlate with our no-cost community services, which are as follows:

Support signing up for affordable home internet
Support finding a no or low-cost device
Support connecting with and enrolling in digital skilling programs
Basic technical support

Workstream meetings are hosted monthly, and you’re welcome to join a different one each month to learn about their unique initiatives. You can find all the public workstream meetings on our events calendar. Our five workstreams are:

Data, Research, and Program Measurement
Device and Connectivity
Digital Literacy and Skilling
Digital Navigation and Technical Support
Policy, Advocacy, and Ecosystem Development

CDE History
The Center for Digital Equity (CDE) is an evolution of two key community initiatives; Digital Charlotte and the Charlotte Digital Inclusion Alliance and is housed at Queens University of Charlotte.
The CDE is supported by a grant from the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation.

Internet Sign-Up Event at Briar Creek Commons (Access Charlotte)
2023-10-03 11:00 - 13:00 | Briar Creek Commons, 3144 Central Avenue, Charlotte, NC, 28205, United States
All residents living at Briar Creek Commons apartment complex are invited to attend the Access Charlotte internet sign-up event hosted by the Center for Digital Equity! The City of Charlotte has partnered with Spectrum to launch the Access Charlotte program. Access Charlotte provides FREE high-speed internet to residents of Access Charlotte housing properties. The Digital Navigator Service will visit each property to provide 1:1 guidance to help residents sign up!
Households in the Access Charlotte program area are eligible for this initiative regardless of whether they are current Spectrum customers. Those who are not current customers can sign up to request a self-installation kit and start receiving the service by calling 1-855-326-5115.
Residents of Access Charlotte properties can check if they’re receiving the benefit, or get help signing up for Spectrum internet, by completing this form to contact a digital navigator, or calling 311, pressing any button, and asking to speak to a digital navigator.
Access Charlotte aims to bridge the gap of the digital divide in the greater Charlotte area. Access Charlotte will improve and size up to provide free Spectrum Internet and Advanced Wi-Fi to over 5,000 households and 15 community spaces. Using funding from the American Rescue Plan Act, Charlotte has implemented the two-year program to pay for in-home internet, as well as allocate dollars toward efforts related to digital navigators.

Digital Inclusion Week: Join the celebration!
2023-10-02 08:00 - 2023-10-06 17:00
Digital Inclusion Week (October 2 – 6) is an annual week of awareness, recognition, and celebration. Digital inclusion is based in the notion that everyone deserves the opportunity to use technology to live, learn, work, and thrive.
To celebrate Digital Inclusion Week, organizations, advocates, and supporters across the country host special events and campaigns to raise awareness for solutions addressing home internet access, personal devices, and local technology training and support programs. NDIA is here to help us celebrate DIW, from tip sheets and checklists to social media templates. View the full tool kit here.

Our collective impact strategy at the CDE revolves around creating interconnected communities, and we’re proud to support NDIA’s 2023 theme of “Building Connected Communities.” We believe community input and collaborative effort are essential to transform Mecklenburg County into the most digitally equitable community in the nation.
See below for ways to get involved, whether that’s learning more about digital inclusion, attending a local event, sharing your work, or offering services to your community.

Get Involved
October 2 – 6 | Show Your Support on Social Media
We’re launching a week-long social media campaign highlighting partner stories in device & connectivity, digital literacy & skilling, and policy, advocacy, & ecosystem. Join the celebration using the hashtags #DigitalInclusionWeek, #BuildingConnectedCommunities, and #TechForAll

CDE Twitter
CDE LinkedIn
CDE Instagram
CDE Facebook

October 2 | Online: Typing Competition
Hosted by Central Piedmont Community College (CPCC)

How fast can you type 285 words without looking? Keyboarding or touch typing (typing without looking at the keys) is an essential skill to have when creating assignments. The touch typing competition is asking participants to type 285 words in the fastest time they can. Prizes given for the top score!
Click here to join the competition.

October 3 | Online: Digital Inclusion 101 Webinar
Hosted by National Digital Inclusion Alliance (NDIA)

Digital Inclusion practitioners have been working to end the digital divide for decades, creating their own community, definitions, resources, and gaining knowledge of what works and doesn’t. Digital Inclusion is a multifaceted issue that takes time to understand and NDIA is here to help!
Click here to register.

October 3 | Online: Digital Accessibility Day
Hosted by CPCC

Did you know? Over 30% of students requiring accommodation gave a “poor fair, or neutral” rating to the timeliness of their tech accommodation, according to HigherEdJobs. They will spotlight a ‘Read and Write’ program that supports people with disabilities access to tech resources. There will be a panel discussion exploring the topic of digital accessibility with representatives from Metrolina.
Click here to learn more.

October 4 | 9am – 12pm: Expanding the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP)
Hosted by CPCC and Center for Digital Equity

Join us at the CPCC Parr Center to learn how you can reduce your monthly internet bill! The ACP is a federal benefit providing a $30 monthly discount on monthly internet bills, and Digital Navigators from the CDE will be on-site helping people apply and pick the right internet plan. A panel discussion focusing on access is planned with representatives from CDE and EducationSuperhighway. Whether you want to apply for the ACP or learn how you can help other people sign up, we’d love to see you there.
Address: 1201 Elizabeth Avenue, Charlotte NC, 28204

October 5 | Online: Conversation on Telehealth in Rural America
Hosted by CPCC

This event is in partnership with Atrium to promote services available for telehealth programs, i.e., getting connected to a doctor virtually. As in-person services continue to move online, more health providers are shifting to serve patients online, whether that means delivering test results through an online portal or scheduling a virtual physical. It’s now a requirement to be proficient in digital tools if you want to fully access quality healthcare.
Join the online conversation here

October 5 | 3:30 – 5pm: Community Council Meeting
Hosted by Center for Digital Equity

Join here!

Learn2Earn Laptop Distribution
2023-09-29 11:00 - 16:30 | Charlotte Mecklenburg Library – West Blvd Branch, 2157 West Boulevard, Charlotte, NC, 28208, United States
What is Learn2Earn?
The City of Charlotte is committed to digital inclusion as part of its work on upward mobility. As part of their multi-phased approach to reduce the digital inclusion gap in Charlotte, they’ve partnered with the Charlotte Mecklenburg Library and the Center for Digital Equity to launch the free Learn2Earn program pilot. Learn2Earn offers residents an opportunity to earn a new device while developing job-related skills.
Individuals who demonstrate completion of eight courses offered for free at the library will earn a new, 3-year factory warranted, full-functioning, high quality computer, sufficient to meet a wide array of goals. These trainings are selected to build confidence, improve self-sufficiency, and connect efforts around digital literacy to resources and skills that could result in better paying jobs.
About the Event
Individuals who completed the courses will not only pick up their laptop, but also receive a brand new laptop bag, laptop sleeve, mouse, headset and ring light. The Digital Navigator Service, powered by the Center for Digital Equity, will configure the laptops for easy use and spread awareness about no-cost services, including affordable internet, continued digital skilling, and basic device and connectivity support.

Public Workstream Meeting: Policy, Advocacy, and Ecosystem Development
2023-09-26 16:00 - 17:00
You’re invited to our public monthly workstream meetings! We value the input of all Mecklenburg County residents, whether you just want to listen to the conversation or whether you’d like to become a full member of one of our workstreams. Each workstream is composed of local residents, public sector leaders, and private sector partners.
2023 is going to be a big year as we measure and find ways to show Mecklenburg County the work and progress. The Policy, Advocacy, and Ecosystem workstream will be offering some community engagement trainings, mapping digital resources and setting a policy/advocacy agenda. Our mission is to ensure alignment between community needs and policy at all levels of the ecosystem. Each meeting occurs the fourth Tuesday of every month.
Standing Meeting Time: 4:00pm – 5:00pm
Date: September 26, 2023
Virtual Location: Join Teams Meeting
Workstream Program Director: Amy Crippen
RSVP: Complete this form to indicate your interest in joining a meeting.
**Note: You are still welcome to join the meeting if you don’t RSVP.

Overview of Workstreams at the CDE
The overall mission of the Center for Digital Equity is to make Mecklenburg county the most digitally equitable community in America, and each workstream tackles specific key performances indicators (KPIs) related to that broader goal.
The CDE is organized across five workstreams that generally correlate with our no-cost community services, which are as follows:

Support signing up for affordable home internet
Support finding a no or low-cost device
Support connecting with and enrolling in digital skilling programs
Basic technical support

Workstream meetings are hosted monthly, and you’re welcome to join a different one each month to learn about the unique initiatives of our five workstreams:

Data, Research, and Program Measurement
Device and Connectivity
Digital Literacy and Skilling
Digital Navigation and Technical Support
Policy, Advocacy, and Ecosystem Development

ACP Sign-Up Event: First Ward Place (Inlivian)
2023-09-21 16:00 - 18:00 | First Ward Place, 550 E 8th Street, Charlotte, NC, 28202, United States
All members of the First Ward community are invited to join the CDE to attend our internet sign-up even in the community room. At this event, we are sharing awareness of the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP), a federal benefit that provides eligible households with a $30 monthly discount on home internet, making many plans available at little or no cost. Digital Navigators will guide residents through the application process and help them apply the $30 discount to their internet service provider account.
Inlivian residents can click here to learn more about the Affordable Connectivity Program and contact a Digital Navigator virtually for support: https://thecenterfordigitalequity-6276057.hs-sites.com/en/inlivian-your-home-your-internet

Your Home, Your Internet: Connecting Housing Authority Residents to Internet
This event is part of the Your Home, Your Internet (YHYI) campaign that launched in Charlotte on May 30, 2023 through a collaborative effort between Inlivian, CORE, CDE, and EducationSuperHighway. This is a yearlong campaign to connect all housing authority residents, who are automatically eligible for the $30 monthly ACP benefit, to high-speed home internet at little or no cost. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) created the “Your Home, Your Internet” pilot program to raise awareness of the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) and awarded funds to select cities, including Charlotte, to support pilot-related activities, such as hosting events at Inlivian properties.

Public Workstream Meeting: Digital Literacy and Skilling
2023-09-21 13:00 - 13:30
You’re invited to our public monthly workstream meetings! We value the input of all Mecklenburg County residents, whether you just want to listen to the conversation or whether you’d like to become a full member of one of our workstreams. Each workstream is composed of local residents, public sector leaders, and private sector partners.
Join the Digital Literacy and Skilling Workstream meeting to learn what we’re doing to educate residents on using digital tools so they feel empowered to succeed in a highly digitized world. Our mission is to navigate different partner inputs and connect the community with available resources.
Date: September 21, 2023
Time: 1:00pm – 1:30pm
Virtual Location: https://teams.microsoft.com/l/meetup-join/19%3ameeting_ZDhjNGQ1ZjYtZGIwOC00Y2Q2LWFlYmEtNzgyMjNkZjhmMDQ2%40thread.v2/0?context=%7b%22Tid%22%3a%224b32ca79-7c18-4f06-a72c-62381482d712%22%2c%22Oid%22%3a%223dc191ff-3740-4507-b309-213ee2842e34%22%7d
Workstream Program Director: Ameera Bartholomew
Interested in becoming a member of the Community Council? Complete this form to indicate your interest in becoming an official resident or organization partner of the CDE.
**Note: You do not need to RSVP or complete a form to attend meetings!

Overview of Workstreams at the CDE
The overall mission of the Center for Digital Equity is to make Mecklenburg county the most digitally equitable community in America, and each workstream tackles specific key performances indicators (KPIs) related to that broader goal.
The CDE is organized across five workstreams that generally correlate with our no-cost community services, which are as follows:

Support signing up for affordable home internet
Support finding a no or low-cost device
Support connecting with and enrolling in digital skilling programs
Basic technical support

Workstream meetings are hosted monthly, and you’re welcome to join a different one each month to learn about the unique initiatives of our five workstreams:

Data, Research, and Program Measurement
Device and Connectivity
Digital Literacy and Skilling
Digital Navigation and Technical Support
Policy, Advocacy, and Ecosystem Development

Internet Sign-Up Event at Ashby Gardens (Access Charlotte)
2023-09-21 11:00 - 13:00 | Ashby Gardens, 1719 Eastcrest Drive, Charlotte, NC, 28205, United States
All residents living at Ashby Gardens apartment complex are invited to attend the Access Charlotte internet sign-up event hosted by the Center for Digital Equity! The City of Charlotte has partnered with Spectrum to launch the Access Charlotte program, which provides FREE high-speed internet to residents of Access Charlotte housing properties. The Digital Navigator Service will visit each property to provide 1:1 guidance to help residents sign up!
Households in the Access Charlotte program area are eligible for this initiative regardless of whether they are current Spectrum customers. Current customers are automatically enrolled in this benefit.
Residents of Access Charlotte properties can check if they’re receiving the benefit, or get help signing up for Spectrum internet, by completing this form to contact a digital navigator, or calling 311, pressing any button, and asking to speak to a digital navigator.
The Access Charlotte initiative aims to bridge the gap of the digital divide in the greater Charlotte area. Using funding from the American Rescue Plan Act, Charlotte has implemented the two-year program to pay for in-home internet, as well as allocate dollars toward efforts related to digital navigators.

Public Workstream Meeting: Device and Connectivity
2023-09-21 10:00 - 10:30
You’re invited to our public monthly workstream meetings! We value the input of all Mecklenburg County residents, whether you just want to listen to the conversation or whether you’d like to become a full member of one of our workstreams. Each workstream is composed of local residents, public sector leaders, and private sector partners.
Join the Device and Connectivity Workstream meeting to learn what’s happening in Charlotte to connect residents with affordable devices that empowers them to succeed in a highly digitized world. Their mission is to navigate different partner inputs and connect the community with available resources. These meetings alternate between being virtual and in-person, so check the calendar monthly for updated information.
Standing Meeting Time: 10:00am – 10:30am
Date: September 21, 2023
Virtual Location: https://teams.microsoft.com/l/meetup-join/19%3ameeting_OWJlYmVmZTUtODAyZC00NWU4LTg5ODktMmE0YTJhZGY1YTFm%40thread.v2/0?context=%7b%22Tid%22%3a%224b32ca79-7c18-4f06-a72c-62381482d712%22%2c%22Oid%22%3a%223dc191ff-3740-4507-b309-213ee2842e34%22%7d
Workstream Program Director: Ameera Bartholomew
Interested in becoming a member of the Community Council? Complete this form to indicate your interest in becoming an official resident or organization partner of the CDE.
**Note: You do not need to RSVP or complete a form to attend meetings!

Overview of Workstreams at the CDE
The overall mission of the Center for Digital Equity is to make Mecklenburg county the most digitally equitable community in America, and each workstream tackles specific key performances indicators (KPIs) related to that broader goal.
The CDE is organized across five workstreams that generally correlate with our no-cost community services, which are as follows:

Support signing up for affordable home internet
Support finding a no or low-cost device
Support connecting with and enrolling in digital skilling programs
Basic technical support

Workstream meetings are hosted monthly, and you’re welcome to join a different one each month to learn about the unique initiatives of our five workstreams:

Data, Research, and Program Measurement
Device and Connectivity
Digital Literacy and Skilling
Digital Navigation and Technical Support
Policy, Advocacy, and Ecosystem Development

Public Workstream Meeting: Data, Research, and Program Measurement
2023-09-19 16:00 - 17:00
You’re invited to our public monthly workstream meetings! We value the input of all Mecklenburg County residents, whether you just want to listen to the conversation or whether you’d like to become a full member of one of our workstreams. Each workstream is composed of local residents, public sector leaders, and private sector partners.
Join the the Data, Research and Program Measurement Workstream meeting to learn how we’re collecting data on our progress and using different types of data to inform our decisions. Their mission is to connect the community and partners with the right level of key data elements to drive decisions. Each meeting occurs the third Tuesday of every month.
Standing Meeting Time: 4:00pm – 5:00pm
Date: September 19, 2023
Virtual Location: Join Teams Meeting
Workstream Program Director: Amy Crippen
RSVP: Complete this form to indicate your interest in joining a meeting.
**Note: You are still welcome to join the meeting if you don’t RSVP.

Overview of Workstreams at the CDE
The overall mission of the Center for Digital Equity is to make Mecklenburg county the most digitally equitable community in America, and each workstream tackles specific key performances indicators (KPIs) related to that broader goal.
The CDE is organized across five workstreams that generally correlate with our no-cost community services, which are as follows:

Support signing up for affordable home internet
Support finding a no or low-cost device
Support connecting with and enrolling in digital skilling programs
Basic technical support

Workstream meetings are hosted monthly, and you’re welcome to join a different one each month to learn about the unique initiatives of our five workstreams:

Data, Research, and Program Measurement
Device and Connectivity
Digital Literacy and Skilling
Digital Navigation and Technical Support
Policy, Advocacy, and Ecosystem Development

Tech Tuesdays: Buy a Low-Cost Laptop
2023-09-19 15:00 - 17:00 | E2D AvidXChange Lab, 920 Hamilton Street, Charlotte, NC, 28206, United States

Volunteer: Internet Sign-Up Event at Lake Mist (Access Charlotte)
2023-09-19 14:00 - 16:00 | Lake Mist Apartments, 1120-A Lakemist Drive, Charlotte, North Carolina, 28217, United States
Complete our Volunteer Form to sign up for this event: https://share.hsforms.com/1UETgTAgST665mOr3GwjGBQ3qimx
All residents living at Lake Mist apartment complex are invited to attend the Access Charlotte internet sign-up event hosted by the Center for Digital Equity! The City of Charlotte has partnered with Spectrum to launch the Access Charlotte program. Access Charlotte provides FREE high-speed internet to residents of Access Charlotte housing property. The Digital Navigator Service at the Center for Digital Equity will visit each property to provide 1:1 guidance to help residents sign up!
Households in the Access Charlotte program area are eligible for this initiative regardless of whether they are current Spectrum customers. Those who are not current customers can sign up to request a self-installation kit and start receiving the service by calling 1-855-326-5115.
Residents of Access Charlotte properties can check if they’re receiving the benefit, or get help signing up for Spectrum internet, by completing this form to contact a digital navigator, or calling 311, pressing any button, and asking to speak to a digital navigator.
Access Charlotte aims to bridge the gap of the digital divide in the greater Charlotte area. Access Charlotte will improve and size up to provide free Spectrum Internet and Advanced Wi-Fi to over 5,000 households and 15 community spaces. Using funding from the American Rescue Plan Act, Charlotte has implemented the two-year program to pay for in-home internet, as well as allocate dollars toward efforts related to digital navigators.

Volunteer: Internet Sign-Up Event at Anita Stroud (Access Charlotte)
2023-09-19 11:00 - 13:00 | Anita Stroud, 1110 Rising Oak Drive, Charlotte, NC, 28206, United States
Complete our Volunteer Form to sign up for this event: https://share.hsforms.com/1UETgTAgST665mOr3GwjGBQ3qimx
All residents living at Anita Stroud apartment complex are invited to attend the Access Charlotte internet sign-up event hosted by the Center for Digital Equity! The City of Charlotte has partnered with Spectrum to launch the Access Charlotte program. Access Charlotte provides FREE high-speed internet to residents of Access Charlotte housing properties. The Digital Navigator Service will visit each property to provide 1:1 guidance to help residents sign up!
Households in the Access Charlotte program area are eligible for this initiative regardless of whether they are current Spectrum customers. Those who are not current customers can sign up to request a self-installation kit and start receiving the service by calling 1-855-326-5115.
Residents of Access Charlotte properties can check if they’re receiving the benefit, or get help signing up for Spectrum internet, by completing this form to contact a digital navigator, or calling 311, pressing any button, and asking to speak to a digital navigator.
Access Charlotte aims to bridge the gap of the digital divide in the greater Charlotte area. Access Charlotte will improve and size up to provide free Spectrum Internet and Advanced Wi-Fi to over 5,000 households and 15 community spaces. Using funding from the American Rescue Plan Act, Charlotte has implemented the two-year program to pay for in-home internet, as well as allocate dollars toward efforts related to digital navigators.

ACP Sign-Up Event: Sunridge (Inlivian)
2023-09-14 16:00 - 18:00 | Sunridge, 4005 Suridge Lane, Charlotte, NC, 28215, United States
All residents of the Sunridge community are invited to join the CDE to attend our internet sign-up event in the community room. At this event, we are sharing awareness of the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP), a federal benefit that provides eligible households with a $30 monthly discount on home internet, making many plans available at little or no cost. Digital Navigators will guide residents through the application process and help them apply the $30 discount to their internet service provider account.
Inlivian residents can click here to learn more about the Affordable Connectivity Program and contact a Digital Navigator virtually for support: https://thecenterfordigitalequity-6276057.hs-sites.com/en/inlivian-your-home-your-internet

Your Home, Your Internet: Connecting Housing Authority Residents to Internet
This event is part of the Your Home, Your Internet (YHYI) campaign that launched in Charlotte on May 30, 2023 through a collaborative effort between Inlivian, CORE, CDE, and EducationSuperHighway. This is a yearlong campaign to connect all housing authority residents, who are automatically eligible for the $30 monthly ACP benefit, to high-speed home internet at little or no cost. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) created the “Your Home, Your Internet” pilot program to raise awareness of the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) and awarded funds to select cities, including Charlotte, to support pilot-related activities, such as hosting events at Inlivian properties.

Public Community Council Meeting (September 7 – Virtual)
2023-09-07 15:30 - 17:00
You’re invited to our public monthly Community Council meetings! At the Center for Digital Equity (CDE), we value the input of all Mecklenburg County residents, whether you just want to listen to the conversation or whether you’d like to become a resident or organization partner of the CDE. Each Community Council meeting is held the first Thursday of the month from 3:30 – 5:00pm. Most meetings are virtual (see Zoom invite link below).

Time: 3:30pm – 5:00pm
Virtual Link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83813370936

What is the Community Council?
The community council is a resident, public, private collaboration focused on producing recommendations on how Mecklenburg County can become the most digitally equitable community in America. Any resident in Mecklenburg County or public and private sector partner who operates within the county is welcome to join the council. The community council is governed by a co-created charter and led by workstream co-chairs who are elected by partners of the CDE.

Interested in becoming a member of the Community Council? Complete this interest form: https://share.hsforms.com/1JkmrAPzZRiC9oTPhbyI9RA3qimx

CDE Mission Statement
To make Mecklenburg County the most digital equitable community in America.

CDE Vision
The Center for Digital Equity is the backbone organization for a collective impact strategy bringing together residents, public, and private sector partners to co-create solutions allowing every resident the opportunity to thrive in our modern culture.

What are the CDE’s workstreams?
The CDE is organized across five workstreams that tackle specific key performances indicators (KPIs) related to our mission and generally correlate with our no-cost community services, which are as follows:

Support signing up for affordable home internet
Support finding a no or low-cost device
Support connecting with and enrolling in digital skilling programs
Basic technical support

Workstream meetings are hosted monthly, and you’re welcome to join a different one each month to learn about their unique initiatives. You can find all the public workstream meetings on our events calendar. Our five workstreams are:

Data, Research, and Program Measurement
Device and Connectivity
Digital Literacy and Skilling
Digital Navigation and Technical Support
Policy, Advocacy, and Ecosystem Development

CDE History
The Center for Digital Equity (CDE) is an evolution of two key community initiatives; Digital Charlotte and the Charlotte Digital Inclusion Alliance and is housed at Queens University of Charlotte.
The CDE is supported by a grant from the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation.

Volunteer: Mega Laptop Distribution Day (E2D)
2023-08-26 09:00 - 12:00 | ImaginOn: The Joe & Joan Martin Center, 300 East Seventh Street Charlotte, North Carolina 28202, United States
Get out in the Charlotte Community with us!
Join us at ImaginOn as we partner with E2D (Eliminate the Digital Divide) to support their mega laptop distribution day (D-Day)! E2D’s goal is to distribute 1,000 low-cost laptops at this event to support Mecklenburg County residents. Laptops will be available for purchase for $80 cash ($84 with credit card).
Follow this link to sign-up to volunteer: https://share.hsforms.com/1UETgTAgST665mOr3GwjGBQ3qimx
(Spanish-speaking volunteers are especially welcome at this event!)
Volunteer Details
Once community members have received a low-cost laptop (perhaps their very first one!) the CDE will be on-site to enroll eligible families in the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP). The ACP is a federal benefit providing a $30 discount on monthly internet bills. Whether a community member doesn’t currently have home internet or wishes to reduce their existing bill, CDE volunteers are there to empower and guide residents through the ACP application process.

Volunteer Arrival Time: 8:15am

Volunteer: ACP Sign-Up Event: Charlottetown Terrace (Inlivian)
2023-08-24 10:00 - 12:00 | Charlottetown Terrace, 1000 Baxter St, Charlotte, NC, 28204, United States
Complete our Volunteer Form to sign up for this event: https://share.hsforms.com/1UETgTAgST665mOr3GwjGBQ3qimx
All members of the Charlottetown Terrace community are invited to join the CDE to attend our internet sign-up even in the meeting room. At this event, we are sharing awareness of the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP), a federal benefit that provides eligible households with a $30 monthly discount on home internet, making many plans available at little or no cost. Digital Navigators will guide residents through the application process and help them apply the $30 discount to their internet service provider account.
Inlivian residents can click here to learn more about the Affordable Connectivity Program and contact a Digital Navigator virtually for support: https://thecenterfordigitalequity-6276057.hs-sites.com/en/inlivian-your-home-your-internet

YHYI: INLIVIAN and CDE
This event is part of the Your Home, Your Internet (YHYI) campaign that launched in Charlotte on May 30, 2023 through a collaborative effort between Inlivian, CORE, CDE, and EducationSuperHighway. This is a yearlong campaign to connect all housing authority residents, who are automatically eligible for the $30 monthly ACP benefit, to high-speed home internet at little or no cost. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) created the “Your Home, Your Internet” pilot program to raise awareness of the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) and awarded funds to select cities, including Charlotte, to support pilot-related activities, such as hosting events at Inlivian properties.

Volunteer: Senior Digital Equity Event (Humana)
2023-08-23 09:00 - 13:00 | Bette Rae Thomas Recreation Center, 2921 Tuckaseegee Road, Charlotte, NC, 28202, United States
Complete our Volunteer Form to sign up for this event: https://share.hsforms.com/1UETgTAgST665mOr3GwjGBQ3qimx
All seniors and professionals working with seniors in Mecklenburg County — You’re invited to join us at the Bette Rae Thomas Recreation Center to learn more about how to stay connected! At this event hosted by Humana, you will have the chance to meet 1 on 1 with a Digital Navigators from the Center for Digital Equity to discuss your current internet needs, and your aspirations related to technology.
There will be interactive exercises with cell phones, as well as an open discussion with a panel of digital literacy experts. We will provide interactive education to increase the awareness of how internet connectivity creates possibilities for seniors, from improving health care access, reducing social isolation, and enhancing caregiving. We want to hear from you about your current internet needs, why digital literacy and digital equity are so important, and how the CDE aims to establish more access throughout the county.
Lunch is provided! Plus, there’s a chance to win a FREE laptop!
Bring: Your phone, tablet or laptop for 1:1 assistance by a Digital Navigator
Interactive Panel Discussion: Importance of connectivity to your physical, emotional and social health. We welcome you to voice your interests and concerns about being online.

Public Workstream Meeting: Policy, Advocacy, and Ecosystem Development
2023-08-22 16:00 - 17:00
You’re invited to our public monthly workstream meetings! We value the input of all Mecklenburg County residents, whether you just want to listen to the conversation or whether you’d like to become a full member of one of our workstreams. Each workstream is composed of local residents, public sector leaders, and private sector partners.
2023 is going to be a big year as we measure and find ways to show Mecklenburg County the work and progress. The Policy, Advocacy, and Ecosystem workstream will be offering some community engagement trainings, mapping digital resources and setting a policy/advocacy agenda. Our mission is to ensure alignment between community needs and policy at all levels of the ecosystem. Each meeting occurs the fourth Tuesday of every month.
Standing Meeting Time: 4:00pm – 5:00pm
Date: August 22, 2023
Virtual Location: Join Teams Meeting
Workstream Program Director: Amy Crippen
RSVP: Complete this form to indicate your interest in joining a meeting.
**Note: You are still welcome to join the meeting if you don’t RSVP.

Overview of Workstreams at the CDE
The overall mission of the Center for Digital Equity is to make Mecklenburg county the most digitally equitable community in America, and each workstream tackles specific key performances indicators (KPIs) related to that broader goal.
The CDE is organized across five workstreams that generally correlate with our no-cost community services, which are as follows:

Support signing up for affordable home internet
Support finding a no or low-cost device
Support connecting with and enrolling in digital skilling programs
Basic technical support

Workstream meetings are hosted monthly, and you’re welcome to join a different one each month to learn about the unique initiatives of our five workstreams:

Data, Research, and Program Measurement
Device and Connectivity
Digital Literacy and Skilling
Digital Navigation and Technical Support
Policy, Advocacy, and Ecosystem Development

Volunteer: Wayfinders' Back-to-School Bash
2023-08-20 15:00 - 17:00 | Covenant Presbyterian Church, 1000 E Morehead St, Charlotte, NC, 28204
Wayfinders is hosting a Back-to-School Bash for scholars and families to prepare for and celebrate the upcoming school year. Event attendees will enjoy school supplies, activities, snacks and other festivities!
Date: August 20th, 2023
Time: 3pm-5pm
Where: Covenant Presbyterian Church, 1000 E Morehead St, Charlotte, NC 28204
Wayfinders gives children from high-poverty schools the opportunity to supplement their education with experiences that improve academic achievement and physical activity, expand their social capital, and increase their preparedness for the workforce.
The Volunteer Role
The Digital Navigator Service, powered by the Center for Digital Equity, will be on-site at the event spreading awareness of the no-cost services available for all who live or work in Mecklenburg County. Volunteers will engage with families to build a connection and learn about the digital resources families may be interested in. The no-cost services include:

Signing up for affordable internet
Purchasing an affordable device
Learning new digital skills
Basic tech and troubleshooting support

Volunteer with the CDE today: https://share.hsforms.com/1UETgTAgST665mOr3GwjGBQ3qimx
